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Master of Science

The Master of Science graduate program in Plant Pathology provides education and research experience in the study of plant disease to prepare qualified graduates for college teaching and research positions as well as careers in industry and government.

The full selection of courses offered at Penn State can be found in LionPATH.

Typical M.S. Program Timeline

Semester

Activity

First

Coursework

Decide on research topic and initiate literature review

Apply for dual-degree program (if applicable, see below)

Second

Coursework

First seminar

Select thesis research committee

Prepare thesis research proposal

Thesis proposal meeting and thesis approval

Third

Coursework

Thesis writing

Fourth

Finish thesis writing

Final seminar and thesis defense

Annual Evaluation

The annual evaluation of graduate students ensures that students receive the mentorship they deserve and are making progress toward completion of their degrees. The annual evaluation of graduate students consists of a collaborative effort between faculty adviser and student to:

Complete the evaluation form;

Complete and submit the check sheet with evidence that steps have been completed;

Demonstrate that the student’s web page is up-to-date;

Present a professional quality CV suitable for awards, job applications, and internships;

Produce a narrative of service or other activities not captured on a CV.

In addition, a mid-year check-in with the student’s adviser(s) is required to review progress on their actionable goals.